The Groupon logo is displayed in the lobby of the company's international headquarters on June 10, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Getty Images)

(Newser)
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Beware, bargain hunter: Groupon is looking over your shoulder. The daily deals site announced yesterday that it will collect and share more information about its users, in a move sure to attract the attention of federal regulators and privacy advocates. Also announced in the privacy policy changes: Groupon will market its offers using geo-locational information. The changes, announced via email to subscribers, come as the company is looking to go public.

Groupon will now share data on users' interests and habits with business partners like travel site Expedia; it also shares information about users' relationships, transactions, and location. The company disclosed details on how it gathers, stores, and shares user data using tracking methods like cookies and web server logs. The changes illustrate how Groupon and other similar sites will use customer information to offer personalized deals and ads, the Washington Post notes.

"Groupon will market its offers using geo-locational information" That is no different than your local grocery store or automobile shop. If someone were to want to get groupon e-mails, it only makes sense that you would want them to have enough information to target your interests. Otherwise, what would be the use of the daily deals?

G.O.P.

Jul 11, 2011 8:47 AM CDT

unsubscribed

fancygapva

Jul 11, 2011 8:10 AM CDT

Interesting. I went to the site after reading the article in order to unsubscribe. The server was busy for a long time. It's still busy. I wonder if others have the same reaction to having info shared commercially?